2021-2

【摘要】This paper examines the variant Chinese characters used in Japan. On the basis of past research, the paper redefines the so-called nihon (no) zokuji “日本俗字” (demotic characters used in Japan) as follows: they refer to the Chinese characters that have been introduced to Japan and developed at the hands of the Japanese literati, excluding genuine kokuji “國字” (characters made in Japan) and kanden zokuji “漢傳俗字” (demotic characters transmitted from China). The paper also discusses the research materials on the Japanese demotic characters, drawing particular attention to two points: one is a considerable amount of influence the wayō shodō “和樣書道” (calligraphy Japanese style) imparted on the generation of the Japanese demotic characters, and yet another one forms the initial causes for the generation of certain wazokuji “倭俗字” (demotic characters used in ancient Japan) when the Japanese adopted the Chinese characters under certain cognitive consciousness.